scout

views updated May 18 2018

scout / skout/ • n. 1. a soldier or other person sent out ahead of a main force so as to gather information about the enemy's position, strength, or movements. ∎  a ship or aircraft employed for reconnaissance, esp. a small fast aircraft. ∎ short for talent scout. ∎  an instance of gathering information, esp. by reconnoitering an area: a lengthy scout around the area.2. (also Scout) a Boy Scout or Girl Scout.3. inf., dated a man or boy: I've got nothing against Harrison—he's a good scout.• v. [intr.] make a search for someone or something in various places: I was sent to scout around for a place to park the camper we scouted for clues. ∎  (esp. of a soldier) go ahead of a main force so as to gather information about an enemy's position, strength, or movements. ∎  [tr.] explore or examine (a place or area of business) so as to gather information about it: American companies are keen to scout out business opportunities. ∎  look for suitably talented people for recruitment to one's own organization or sports team: Johnson has been scouting for the Pirates.DERIVATIVES: scout·er n.scout2 • v. [tr.] rare reject (a proposal or idea) with scorn.

scout

views updated May 23 2018

scout1 spy, reconnoitre. XIV. Aphetic — OF. escouter (mod. écouter) listen, alt. of ascolter :- Rom. *ascultāre, for L. auscultāre.
So scout sb. one sent ahead to reconnoitre. XVI. — OF. escoute; earlier in †scout-watch sentinel, spy (XIV), unless this is a comp. of the vb.

scout

views updated May 23 2018

scout3 †mock, deride XVII; reject with scorn XVIII. prob. of Scand. orig (cf. ON. skúta, skúti a taunt): if so, the word must have been in colloq. use long before it is recorded.

scout

views updated Jun 11 2018

scout2 flat-bottomed boat. XV. — MDu. schūte (Du. schuit), adopted earlier as schoute (XIV); rel. to ON. skúta light fast vessel.

SCOUT

views updated May 18 2018

SCOUT (skaʊt) Commerce Shared Currency Option Under Tender

scout

views updated May 29 2018

scout4 (at Oxford) college servant. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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